THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

It was on February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in an Iowa field. They were on their way to Moorhead, MN to play a gig.

The tragedy is later termed "The Day the Music Died", popularized in Don McLean's 1972 song "American Pie".

It was a sad day for teenagers everywhere that had played Buddy Holly and the Crickets music. The halls of Lincoln High in Thief River Falls were abuzz when they found the plane the next morning. Any one running a head phone out of their portable radio up their sleeve listening to the AM Fargo station spread the news. Why didn't the teachers understand how tragic this was to us?

The bus with the rest of the group rolled out with the remaining members of the tour, who were unaware of the fate of Holly's plane until they arrived at their destination and saw the news on television. A decision was made to continue the tour, but the organizers scrambled to find a local act who could fill in on short notice.

Heartbeat - why do you miss when my baby kisses me

heartbeat - why does a love kiss stay in my memory

Piddle dee pat - I know that new love thrills me

I know that true love will be

Heartbeat - why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Heartbeat - why do you skip when my baby's lips meet mine

heartbeat - why do you flip then give me a skip beat sign

Piddle dee pat - and sing to me love stories

and bring to me love’s glories

Heartbeat - why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Everyone knew the lyrics to Chantilly Lace, did we not?

Hello baby, yeah, this is the Big Bopper speaking

Oh you sweet thing

Do I what

Will I what

Oh baby you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face

And a pony tail hanging down

That wiggle in the walk and giggle in the talk

Makes the world go round

There ain't nothing in the world like a big eyed girl

That makes me act so funny, make me spend my money

Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose

Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like

What's that baby

But, but, but, oh honey

But, oh baby you know what I like

Chorus

What's that honey

Pick you up at 8 and don't be late

But baby I ain't got no money honey

Oh alright baby you know what I like

And what about that dreamy Ritchie Valens?

He had just established himself as one of the most promising young talents in rock & roll, just missing the top of the charts with his ballad "Donna," and recording a pioneering blend of rock and Latin music with its almost equally popular flip side, "La Bamba." More than almost any other rock star who died prematurely, it's difficult to assess his unrealized potential; he was only 17 at the time of his death, and had just barely begun to make records.

Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna

Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna

I had a girl

Donna was her name

Since she left me

I've never been the same'cause

I love my girl

Donna, where can you be?

Where can you be?

Now that you're gone

I'm left all alone

All by myself

To wander and roam'cause

I love my girl

Donna, where can you be? Where can you be?

Well, darlin', now that you're gone

I don't know what I'll do

All the time and all my love for yo-ou-ou

I had a girl

Donna was her name

Since she left me

I've never been the same'cause

I love my girl

Donna, where can you be?

Where can you be?

Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna

Oh, Donna, Oh, Donna

Bobby Vee got his lucky break when he and and his band the Shadows filled in for the late Buddy Holly in Moorhead.

Tomorrow: Bobby Vee and the Shadows